Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM: An Overview

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) both refer to software systems used to manage aspects of a business. They can both be managed in the cloud, and knowing the difference between the two and what their primary functions are is important for any business looking to upgrade its software.

ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning focuses on the internal workings of the business. By using ERP software such as Microsoft Dynamics ERP cloud, it is possible for a business to unify product planning, human resources, accounting, sales, marketing and development. By integrating all of these processes into one, a business can analyze its systems and track goals, allowing it to streamline internal processes and become more efficient. For example, by integrating the various categories of data that involve finances within your company, the accuracy of financial analytics can be vastly improved.

CRM

Customer Relationship Management is designed to manage the customer facing systems of a business. The software system is useful for sales and service related activities and allows the tracking of information about the customer. As an integrated system, this allows you to link customer data and gain insight into customer habits and needs. In this way, Microsoft CRM hosting allows businesses to improve the efficiency of sales and customer service tasks performed every day.

Putting Them Together

The Microsoft Dynamics ERP cloud is a great way to improve productivity and efficiency within a business, but it can also be integrated with their CRM hosting software. This allows both systems to share data and can provide vital insight into how internal changes can have customer facing consequences and vice-versa, while also allowing you to streamline data management between the outside and inside processes of your business. A company that relies on sales, for example, can link the average time it takes to close a lead with project planning practices to increase efficiency. These kinds of insights can also be applied to categories such as retail, energy, healthcare, non-profit and more.

Licenses

If your business utilizes any type of software, then you may be familiar with software licenses. Many companies that offer cloud hosting will have multiple licensing options. Two common ones are Managed Microsoft Licenses and the Microsoft Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA). Managed licenses allow businesses to own the licenses, giving them more direct control over installed products, while the SPLA allows the software company to manage the licenses. The one you choose will depend on your business situation, and it is a good idea to do research and consult with the cloud hosting company before making a decision.

Depending on the size and type of your business microsoft dynamics erp cloud may be all you need, or it may be CRM hosting that is more necessary, or it may a fully integrated system for all your data. In general, most businesses benefit from cloud hosting and data integration, as it allows easier access to data, which means easier data analysis and the ability to streamline processes. Whatever your decision, be sure to consult with the cloud hosting company about your goals and which system and license fits.

John Trinh has been writing for 10+ years. He first delved into the world of writing when he wrote his first article for his university's paper. Since then, John has enjoyed writing about technology, and anything that he thinks he should write about.